Method and means for forming pleats in draperies



June 28, 1955 M. KESSLER 2,711,347

METHOD AND MEANS FOR FORMING PLEATS IN DRAPERIES Filed June 7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i HH- x! 1 1 1,

Haj/Ly INVENTOR MITGH'ELL KESSLER 24 Fig.4. Y

ATTORNEY M- KESSLER June 28, 1955 METHOD AND MEANS FOR FORMING PLEATS IN DRAPERIES Filed June 7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MITCHELL KESSLER ATTORNEY United States Patent METHOD AND MEANS FOR FORNHNG PLEATS IN DRAPERIES Mitchell Kessler, Chicago, 1]].

Application June 7, 1951, Serial No. 230,274

1 Claim. (Cl. 223--30) My invention relates to a method and means for forming pleats in draperies.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a highly simplified method and means for forming pin pleats in draperies such that when employed even by an unskilled operator will produce results equivalent to those obtained by highly skilled operators.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a method and means for forming pin pleats in draperies so that they may be accurately and rapidly formed without requiring measurements or calculations on the part of the operator so that even one highly unskilled may obtain results of high quality.

A further object of my invention is the provision of means of the foregoing character which are inexpensive to manufacture and which may be repeatedly used over again.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a pattern used in carrying out my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of another pattern used in carrying out my invention.

Figs. 3, 4, and 6-8 are perspective views illustrating the several steps in carrying out the method of my invention.

Fig. is a perspective view of the pattern illustrated in Fig. 2 in folded condition.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a completed pin pleat in a drapery panel.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, I provide a pattern 10 which may be formed from a rectangular sheet of any suitable material such as heavy paper, thin cardboard or fiber board. The pattern 10 preferably is about fifty inches in length so as to be adaptable for use with conventional drapery fabrics, the width of which is generally in the range of 36-54 inches. The pattern 10 may be of any desired width, but preferably is about 8-10 inches in width and is scored longitudinally to provide a fold line 11 whereby the pattern may be folded longitudinally medially thereof along the said line, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Additionally, the pattern is scored and folded transversely thereof in symmetrical disposition to a central transverse line 12. Thus, on each side of the fold line 12 are four fold lines 13, 14, and 16 which are evenly spaced. The said fold lines are so scored that when the pattern 10 is first folded longitudinally in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4 the sections defined by the fold lines will tend to assume the folded positions, illustrated in Fig. 4, that is, to form a total of five folded sections arranged symmetrically with respect to the center fold line 12. As will be apparent, in order to effect such folding the pattern 10 must be scored so that the upper half portion thereof above the longitudinal fold line 11, as viewed in Fig. 1, will fold oppositely from the lower half portion. Accordingly, the upper half portion of the fold lines 1316 are scored on opposite sides of the pattern so that the pattern will fold easily in the direction desired.

The pattern 10 is provided with a plurality of cut-outs 17, the major axes of which coincide with the longitudinal fold line 11, while the minor axes thereof coincide with alternate fold lines 12, 14 and 16 as viewed in Fig. l. The marginal edge of each cut-out may carry a plurality of reference marks or notches 18 for a purpose as will be hereinafter described.

The pattern 19 illustrated in Fig. 2 is similarly formed of suitable material such as 'heavy paper, thin cardboard or fiber board and is shaped substantially as illustrated in Fig. 2. The said pattern is provided with longitudinal fold lines 21, 22 and 23 to cause the pattern to fold in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5.

Considering now the method of using the patterns 10 and 19, hereinabove described, a drapery panel 24 is first prepared in the usual manner, as by forming side, top and bottom hems; Thereafter the pattern 10 folded along its longitudinal fold line 11 is placed over the top hem of the panel, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 with the center line 12 aligned with the center of the panel. With the panel 24 confined between the folded portions of the pattern 10, the pattern is additionally folded along its transverse fold lines 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. Since the panel 24 has been scored to fold in the manner indicated, the panel will readily assume the folded positions of the pattern portions.

As will be seen by reference to Figs. 4 and 5, each cutout portion 17 of the pattern 10 is disposed symmetrically with respect to each outward fold. The panel portions of each outward fold are brought together in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6 and a pin 26 is placed therethrough in alinement with any one of the reference marks 18 indicated on the pattern. It will be understood that in a single drapery panel corresponding reference marks will be used throughout for each of outwardly folded sections. The selection of and positioning of a pin 26 in alinement with any one of the reference marks determines the width of the finished pleat, it being understood that when reference marks farthest removed from the center line such as 12, 14 and 16 of each outwardly folded portion are used, a maximum depth of pleat is obtained. The choice of reference mark is usually determined by the width of the fabric which forms the panel. Thus, if the original width of the fabric is adequate, it is preferable to have pleats of maximum depth for improved appearance. After each of the outward folds have been pinned as described, the pattern 10 is then removed by slipping the same longitudinally of the panel, and each outward fold is thereafter stitched as at 27 approximately 5 to 6 inches in from the top edge of the panel along a line coinciding with each pin position thereby to form a tubular portion 28. Into each of said portions is inserted pattern 19 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6 with the longitudinal center fold line 22 of the pattern adjacent the line of stitching 27. With the fabric of the tubular portion 28 held snugly against the pattern 19 both the pattern and fabric are folded according to the score lines of the pattern 19 to form three pleats 29 each of uniform depth and spacing. With the pattern still in position, the pleats 29 are secured together by stitching the same as along line 30 for a long pleat or at any lesser distance for a shorter pleat. The pattern 19 is then removed from the panel by sliding the same outwardly and is used in other tubular portions 28 of the panel, in the same manner hereinabove described to complete the pleats of the drapery panel.

It will be apparent that both patterns 10 and 19 may be used over and over, since no part of either of these is consumed or incorporated in the drapery panels. It will also be apparent from the foregoing that the patterns and method of my invention may be used by inexperienced and unskilled persons, since the scored lines of the patterns determine the manner in which the fabric of the panel will fold and accordingly there is no likelihood of mistakes occurring since the operator employing the method and the pattern does not have to lay out or calculate the spacing and depth of the pleats.

I claim:

The method of forming pinch-pleats in drapery panels which consists in providing a first pattern formed of flex ible material substantially co-extensive in length with the width of a drapery panel to be pleated, said pattern being creased both longitudinally and transversely and foldable on crease lines in a predetermined manner, said pattern also having substantially rectangular cut out portions centered on the longitudinal fold line and extending inwardly transversely a short distance from the longitudinal fold line and longitudinally a short distance in opposite directions from alternate transverse crease lines, applying said pattern to one edge of a drapery panel so that the marginal portion of said panel is disposed between and embraced by the longitudinal fold portions of said pattern, with the edge of said panel substantially co-extensive with the longitudinal fold line of said pattern, folding said pattern and said panel according to the creased fold lines of said pattern, temporarily securing together folded portions of said panel in the zones of said out out portions, removing said pattern and stitching said folded portions inwardly from the edge of said panel to form a tubular portion, providing a second pattern creased to fold in a predetermined manner, inserting said second pattern in said tubular portion, folding said second pattern and the fabric of said panel in such tubular portion according to the creased lines of said second pattern to form a plurality of pinch-pleates and finally securing said pinchpleats at a point spaced from the edge of said panel before removal of said second pattern.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 384,004 Tilton June 5, 1888 1,516,935 Wachtel NOV. 25, 1924 2,012,097 Goodman Aug. 20, 1935 2,012,734 Steiner Aug. 27, 1935 2,124,650 Chessler .a July 26, 1938 2,512,868 Martens June 27, 1950 2,520,787 Sherman Aug. 29, 1950 2,595,549 Sherman May 6, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 477,703 Canada Oct. 9, 1951 

